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Tickets on sale now – RSGS Announces Annie Lennox OBE as recipient of the Livingstone Medal

RSGS Announces Annie Lennox OBE as recipient of prestigious Livingstone Medal
Annie Lennox will be honoured by RSGS for her ongoing commitment to humanitarian causes

The Royal Scottish Geographical Society is delighted to announce the recipient of its latest Livingstone Medal will be Annie Lennox OBE in recognition of her positive contribution and dedication to raising awareness of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. The Livingstone Medal, awarded for an outstanding contribution to humanitarian work, also recognises her work as an ambassador for UNAIDS, Oxfam, 46664, Amnesty International and the British Red Cross, as well as Special Envoy for the Scottish Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

The RSGS Livingstone Medal, was endowed by RSGS co-founder Mrs Agnes Livingstone-Bruce in memory of her father Dr David Livingstone and was first awarded in 1901 to explorer Sir Harry H Johnston. Since 1901 the medal has only been awarded a further 65 times and has generally focused on recognising those individuals who have made a significant impact on raising the profile of or directly addressing humanitarian causes around the world. The medal has an impressive heritage having been awarded to many world-leading figures from the past 120 years. Most recently the RSGS Livingstone Medal was awarded to Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland, for her services to Climate Justice and women’s rights.

Regarding the decision to award the Livingstone Medal to Annie Lennox OBE, Mike Robinson RSGS CEO said: “Our medal nomination process is open to the public but it is unusual to see a name put forward as often as Annie Lennox’s. We are very happy to be able to recognise the outstanding contribution that Annie has made championing critical global issues over the past three decades, in particular in raising awareness of the plight of those suffering HIV/AIDS and of those living in the world’s most vulnerable areas.”

Speaking about receiving the RSGS Livingstone Medal, Annie Lennox OBE said: “I’m truly honoured to receive such a significant and historical award as the Livingstone Medal.

“There have been numerous social and medical transformations since David Livingstone’s lifetime, yet there is still so much more to do before we can see the end of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which has ravaged the lives of millions of men, women and children across every region of Sub Saharan Africa. My contribution has been small, but my dream would be to see the end of AIDS in the not too distant future.”

The RSGS Livingstone Medal will be awarded to Annie Lennox OBE at a special, ticketed event in Edinburgh on Friday March 18th. Annie will be live in conversation with Sheena McDonald and will share her story in her own words.